Educational Support

Our robust academic college prep program is strengthened by integrated support programs that allows us to welcome students with a range of learning differences.  

Inclusion at JCHS means valuing the unique gifts and supporting the distinct challenges of each student in order to deepen the vitality of our community. In the Jewish tradition, universal access to learning means that we embrace each member the community regardless of financial resources, physical abilities, or learning differences. 

For these reasons, we agree that “inclusion assumes that living and learning together benefits everyone, not just children who are labeled as having a difference.” (Falvey and Givner, 2005)

Our supportive program includes:

• Specialized training for all our classroom teachers to ensure they are sufficiently educated on how to best support and celebrate the learning of each individual student
• FreshSem for 9th graders
• Supervised Study Hall Program
• Teacher availability for one-on-one support
• Regular sessions with a learning specialist 
• A college preparatory curriculum with flexibility to accommodate documented learning differences
• Designated learning space for students to meet with tutors and learning specialists

Academic Advising

At JCHS, each student is assigned to an advisor in order to enhance his or her educational experience. The advisor’s role is to:

• Provide overall support and guidance to students and parents
• Act as a liaison between students, teachers, and parents as needed
• Work with students to set goals for the year
• Help students selecting courses for the upcoming year
• Support students through their challenges
• Celebrate students’ successes

By helping students to navigate their JCHS experience, and assisting students in making the most of the JCHS resources and programs that align with their interests and goals, our advisors prepare students for success in high school, college, and beyond.

The Ninth Grade Experience

JCHS provides a unique level of support for students as they navigate the first year of high school. During our freshman orientation, students bond with classmates across grades. Our FreshSem helps students orient to JCHS, learn how to build relationships, make healthy decisions, manage stress, and improve executive functioning, writing, reading, and study skills. There are 3 components to freshman seminar. One of them, JCHS Skills, is facilitated by David Neufeld, the Director of Learning Support; the next Health and Wellness is facilitated by Julie Beck, our school counselor; and the third is a weekly individual meeting with Michelle Matz, the 9th grade advisor and dean, which we call “Dean Time.” 

Counseling

Our school counselor, Julie Beck:

• Provides confidential and individualized emotional and psychological support for students
• Works collaboratively with parents, teachers, and advisors to explore the best ways to support students
• Offers short-term counseling
• Provide referrals and resources to families whose students are in need of long-term support

Additionally, our school counselor supports students in navigating their first year of high school by working with the 9th grade class one day per week.